What Are BEF WRCs®?
What Is a Water Restoration Certificate (WRC)?
A Water Restoration Certificate® (WRC®) is a verified environmental certificate that represents a measurable volume of freshwater restored to rivers, streams, wetlands, and other ecosystems experiencing water stress.
Through Terrapass and Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), Water Restoration Certificates help fund projects that improve stream flows, restore wetlands, support wildlife habitat, and protect critical freshwater resources. Each project is designed to return water to nature where it can provide the greatest environmental benefit.
Just as carbon offsets help address greenhouse gas emissions, Water Restoration Certificates help restore freshwater resources impacted by human water use.
Why Water Restoration Matters
Water is essential to life, yet freshwater resources are under increasing pressure from climate change, population growth, agriculture, and industrial demand. In many regions, rivers, streams, and groundwater supplies are being depleted faster than they can naturally recover.
When water is withdrawn faster than nature can replenish it, ecosystems suffer. Reduced stream flows can impact fish and wildlife habitat, degrade water quality, and threaten the long-term health of watersheds.
While conserving water remains important, conservation alone cannot solve every challenge. Water restoration projects help return water to the environment and support healthier ecosystems for future generations.
What Is a Water Footprint?
Your water footprint is the total amount of freshwater required to support your daily life. It includes not only the water you use at home, but also the water needed to grow food, generate energy, manufacture products, and provide services.
The average American is responsible for nearly 2,000 gallons of water use each day, and approximately 95% of that water use occurs behind the scenes through the products and resources we consume.
Because water is essential to nearly everything we do, eliminating your water footprint is virtually impossible. However, you can take meaningful action by supporting projects that restore freshwater resources and improve watershed health.
How Do Water Restoration Certificates Work?
Water Restoration Certificates provide funding for projects that restore freshwater to ecosystems where it is needed most.
These projects may include:
- Modernizing irrigation systems to reduce water waste
- Restoring wetlands that naturally store and filter water
- Returning water to rivers and streams through water-rights agreements
- Improving groundwater recharge and watershed resilience
- Supporting habitat restoration for fish and wildlife
The volume of water restored is carefully quantified and reviewed to ensure measurable environmental outcomes.
What Does One BEF Water Restoration Certificate Represent?
Each BEF Water Restoration Certificate® represents 1,000 gallons of water restored to freshwater ecosystems.
Your purchase helps fund projects that improve watershed health, restore stream flows, support biodiversity, and increase the resilience of critical freshwater resources.
Verified Environmental Impact
To help ensure quality and accountability, BEF Water Restoration Certificate® projects are reviewed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a recognized leader in freshwater conservation and restoration.
This independent review process helps verify that restoration projects deliver meaningful environmental benefits and measurable water outcomes.
Take Action to Restore Freshwater Resources
Every day, our lives depend on water. While reducing water use is important, supporting water restoration projects can help create lasting environmental impact where it is needed most.
By purchasing BEF Water Restoration Certificates®, you can help restore freshwater ecosystems, improve watershed health, and balance the impact of your water footprint.
Ready to make a difference?
Purchase Water Restoration Certificates® Today →
Help restore freshwater resources, support healthier ecosystems, and contribute to a more sustainable water future.